Page 227 of Beautiful Collide

“I don’t feel strong,” I admit.

“Maybe not yet,” he says. “But I see it. You’re not just surviving anymore, Molly. You’re living.”

My throat tightens, and I can’t bring myself to speak. Instead, I lean into him, letting my head rest against his shoulder. Hudson’s arm slips around me, holding me close as the stars shimmer above us.

For the first time in years, I feel safe.

Hudson turns to face me instead of the sky.

“You’re staring,” I murmur, breaking the quiet, though I can’t bring myself to look away.

“Yeah,” he says shamelessly. “I am.”

I turn my head to face him, and the edges of my lips tug up despite myself. “The stars are up there, you know.”

“So?” he says, his voice lower now, soft and teasing. “I’m looking at something better.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “That’s so cheesy.”

“True, though,” he says, leaning a little closer.

The space between us shifts, the air thickening. His hand moves, brushing against mine, where it rests on the blanket. It’s the lightest touch, but it sends a ripple through me, my breath catching before I can stop it.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice barely a whisper.

I nod, even though my heart is racing. “Yeah. Just . . . you make me nervous sometimes.”

His brow furrows slightly, though his eyes stay soft. “Why?”

“Because you make me feel things I’m not used to feeling,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly, the vulnerability of the words hitting me as I say them.

His lips curve into a small, reassuring smile, and his fingers lace with mine. His hand is warm, grounding, steadying me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. “You don’t need to feel that way with me, Hex.”

The silence returns, but it’s not empty.

It feels full.

Things are changing.

I can feel it in the air, and by the way he reaches his free hand and brushes it against my cheek, I think he feels it too.

“You’re . . . special.” His blue eyes lock on mine.

“Special?” What does that mean? “How so?”

Hudson laughs. “Are you fishing for compliments?”

“No. Just curious.”

“Beautiful. Caring. Amazing. Is that enough for you? Or would you like me to keep going?” he jokes.

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “I’m going to need you to create a PowerPoint presentation.”

“I’ll get right on it. But in all seriousness, you’re all those things and more.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re biased.”

“No,” he says, his voice steady and very serious. “I’m saying it because it’s true.”

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